I got home with my heart pounding so hard it felt like it was about to break out of my chest.
I slammed the shack door shut, leaning my shoulder against it, like that could keep the whole world out.
Because now…
I wasn't alone anymore.
Now, I had it.
I pulled the Halo from under my shirt.
My fingers traced the silver lines etched into its surface.
They seemed to pulse.
For a second, I wondered if it would reject me.
Mark me as an impostor.
I swallowed hard.
"So this is it…" I whispered. "Let's see if it's worth it."
Trying to convince myself.
I placed the device on my head.
It fit right above my ear, sliding into place like it had been made for me.
A faint pressure ran through my temple.
And then—light.
Not normal light.
Colors shattered, rearranging themselves in front of my eyes.
Symbols. Numbers. Words.
A floating screen, though nothing physical was there.
[Welcome to the Caelestis System.]
Initial verification…
Alert: Unregistered user detected.
Initiating neural registration protocol.
My mouth went dry.
It worked.
Holy shit, it worked.
The screen shifted.
A transparent panel opened before me, silver letters glowing.
Enter Ascended Name.
I snorted.
"Ascended? You've got to be kidding me. I can barely afford rice…"
Better not get creative.
I typed it in my head: Haesol.
The letters appeared instantly.
Name registered.
Initiating neural link.
Warning: Minimum attributes required for registration.
My chest froze.
What if it rejected me?
What if the System fried me on the spot?
The screen flickered.
Analyzing aptitudes…
A low hum buzzed in my mind, like gears grinding.
Then, the words appeared:
Physical Strength: Above Average.
Endurance: High.
Agility: Satisfactory.
Focus: Irregular.
Neural Link: Stable.
Result: Approved.
The air rushed out of my lungs.
"Holy shit…" I laughed nervously. "I passed."
The screen expanded.
Welcome, Haesol.
Your ID is 0472.
You are now a registered Ascended.
Initial Status: Class C.
A shiver raced down my spine.
0472.
Just four numbers.
But they felt like a death sentence—and a rebirth—at the same time.
For the first time, I had something that wasn't sweat and soot.
Then the profile appeared.
---
STATUS
Name: Haesol
ID: 0472
Class: C
Level: 1
Strength: 12
Endurance: 14
Agility: 11
Focus: 8
Essence: 0
SIGNATURE APTITUDES
• Physical Adaptability — Your body quickly adjusts to extreme conditions.
• Survival Instinct — Sharpened reflexes in life‑threatening situations.
HOLY SKILL
Profane Reflex — When dodging a technique, you may copy and execute it at 120% of its original power.
(Cost: Drains life energy proportional to the copied ability's power. Excessive use may cause physical collapse.)
BLESSED TITLE (LOCKED)
Fallen — Hidden condition.
Description: Restricted. System lacks authorization to reveal at this stage.
ASCENDED LICENSE
Status: Valid
Current Rank: Class C
Benefits: Access to training agencies, right to basic supplies, minimal priority for low‑risk missions.
---
My smile froze the instant I saw it.
Fallen.
The blessing blinked in the corner, glowing red.
Locked.
But the name was there.
Fallen.
A chill crawled down my spine.
"What the hell is that?" I whispered.
Locked or not, the System doesn't show anything for no reason.
If it's there, it's a part of me now.
And that terrified me more than anything else.
I thought of Alaric's poster, of his radiant smile, of the word peace.
Did he see something like this when he registered?
Or is it just me?
A bug.
A mistake.
Or maybe… fate.
I clenched my teeth.
Didn't matter.
If it's a curse, I'll use it.
If it's a joke, I'll laugh last.
The screen flickered again.
Initial Missions Unlocked
Three icons appeared before me:
• Agency Registration — Report to the nearest Training and Assignment Agency.
• Physical Evaluation — Complete the initial endurance test.
• Basic Hunt — Eliminate 5 Pandemonium Shades in the designated perimeter.
Deadline: 7 Days
Reward: 30 Hokens, supplies, and +1 Level.
I stared at the screen.
My reflection lingered in the corner—
tired eyes, sweat‑matted hair, soot‑stained shirt.
But now, next to that face, an ID gleamed.
472.
And right under it: Ascended.
A nervous laugh slipped out.
"Me… an Ascended."
The words stuck in my throat.
Almost a joke.
But beneath the sarcasm, something burned.
Hope.
And right behind it—fear.
Because if they find out I stole this, it won't just be the Halo they take.
It'll be my head.
I shut my eyes. My breath still ragged.
The shack roof groaned like always,
but it didn't feel so fragile now.
Because for the first time,
I wasn't just a Kegaremono.
I was Haesol.
ID 0472.
Ascended.
Class C.
And all of Ukishiro was going to choke on it.
I collapsed onto the bed,
as if it were the softest place in the world.
For a moment, I swore I could see stars beyond the iron ceiling.
I laughed—loud, alone.
Nobody could hear me anyway.
And then I thought…
Funny how we always crave something more.
The human mind's a damn cruel joke.